Pine Beach Trail at Bon Secour

Distance: 3.5 miles (out-and-back)

Drive from Mobile: About one hour and 20 minutes to Fort Morgan Road

This trail's half-way point is a beautiful, white sandy beach on the Gulf of Mexico. So it is definitely in the running for our favorite local trail. We just wish it was closer to Mobile and that dogs were allowed.

The Pine Beach Trail sits on a beautiful stretch of land that is protected as part of the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. Bon Secour is French for "safe harbor," which is fitting as this land provides safety for nests of sea turtles, the endangered beach mouse, and many other species of plants and animals. It is a nice change in pace from the condos of Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan. Please note before you go that dogs are not allowed here because they can carry diseases that are a threat to the animals who call this area home. We respect that, but it was admittedly hard to leave Chase home as he saw us packing our camel backs. He knew he was missing out on an adventure. But we were happy we went anyway.

Scenery: The parking lot and first portion of the trail are in a wooded area shaded by loblolly and slash pines and featuring lots of saw palmetto and deer moss. You pass a marshy area before finding yourself on a land bridge between Gator Lake and Little Lagoon. There is an observation deck you can climb to get a great view. We walked along the beach of Little Lagoon, just a few feet from the actual trail. After that, the scenery changes completely as you are walking among the protected dunes with low-lying scrub oaks. We discovered the foundations of some old houses, which were cool as we imagined what it would have been like living here and when these houses might have existed. Then alas, you are on a secluded beach.

Wildlife: We enjoyed watching the pelicans and their far-from-graceful landings as they dove for fish in Gator Lake. We also saw some crabs scurrying in the water from up high in the observation deck. Birds were plentiful, as we caught glimpses of scrub jays and doves and seagulls. There were plenty of ctnephores, also known as comb jellies, in Little Lagoon.

Highlight(s): The beach. We had a picnic lunch while watching the waves crash along the shore. And we played in the sand for a bit before heading back. It was well worth the walk to find this secluded beauty, but we were glad to have taken this hike in the winter instead of during the summer heat.

If you time it right, you can take the Mobile Bay Ferry back to Dauphin Island for some more great views. Check out the ferry's Facebook page for departure times. The cost is $16 for one car and driver, and $5 for each additional passenger.

Trail markings: Signs on Fort Morgan Road lead you directly to the Pine Beach Trail parking lot, and there is an easy-to-read map at the trailhead. Walk south, hit the beach, and turn around and head back. There is a map at a crossing trail about a half-of-a-mile into the hike that gives you the option to venture toward the Jeff Friend Trail. And there is a vault toilet near there. Rope marks where you are allowed to walk in the dunes and signs warn hikers against going past those ropes onto the protected dunes. There is one point that marks private property/no trespassing. Look to your right there and you will find the public trail.

G says: It was good in that there is a beach at the end.

L says: It was a nice, relaxing hike with pretty scenery at the end.

About the trail: Congress established the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge in 1980 as a way to protect birds who rest here during fall and spring migrations, according to the refuge's website. The refuge is home to about 360 species of birds and also protects the last remaining undisturbed habitat of the Alabama Beach Mouse. Conservation efforts are underway here to protect the loggerhead, green and Kemp's Ridley sea turtles, including on-site nest monitoring. There is a visitor center east of the Pine Beach trail, and some fishing and boating are allowed in the refuge. To learn more about the refuge and its rules, visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Bon_Secour/